Transferring data from Xiaomi to Samsung: a complete guide with instructions and life hacks

The transition from Xiaomi to Samsung is not just a brand change, but a transition between two fundamentally different ecosystems: MIUI One UI. Even if both smartphones run on Android, differences in shells, branded services, and even backup formats can make data transfer a headache. But don’t rush to manually copy every contact or forward photos over Bluetooth — there are far more effective ways to do this.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible migration methods, from the official Samsung Smart Switch tools to the port-bypass. SMS, We'll focus on hidden traps, like why Samsung's Gallery app doesn't see photos that have been moved over Google Photos, and how to fix them. And you'll also learn which data can't be transferred automatically (spoiler: This is Mi Pay and some settings. MIUI).

If you've tried to migrate data before and you've encountered errors, don't close the article. FAQ For typical problems (from “not seeing Xiaomi” to “hanging 99%”) and give a checklist for check before migration.

1.Preparation for the transfer: what to do on Xiaomi before you start

The first and most important step is to prepare the original phone (Xiaomi), which neglects to do so leads to data loss, sync errors, or even locking your Mi Account (if you’re backing up in the cloud).

✅ There should be a minimum of space on both phones. 10-15% If you have less memory, Xiaomi 5 GB — delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card. Smart Switch and other tools create temporary files, and if there is a shortage of space, the process will stop.

✅ Battery charge. Both devices must be at least 50 percent charged. When you move over the cable, the energy consumption is minimal, but if you use Wi-Fi Direct, the battery can go down faster.

✅ Software Updates: Make sure that Xiaomi has the latest version installed MIUI. Old firmware may have data export bugs. You can check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Delete unnecessary files (leave them) ≥5 GB of free space)

Charge your phone ≥50%

Update MIUI to the latest version

Disable the ad blocker (Interferences Smart Switch)

Sign out of your Mi Account (if you plan to reset)-->

⚠️ Note: If you used a locked bootloader on Xiaomi (for example, after unlocking via Mi Unlock), some system data (for example, SMS) In this case, you will have to use workarounds (see section 4).

2.Official method: transfer via Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary migration tool that can carry contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, calendars, notes and even some settings. But with Xiaomi, it has nuances. Consider both cable and wireless connectivity.

📌 By cable (recommended):

1. Download Smart Switch on Samsung (usually preinstalled) and Xiaomi (from Google Play).
2. Connect the phones with a cable. USB-C → USB-C (On Xiaomi, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. On Samsung, run Smart Switch and select Get Data → Cable.
4. On Xiaomi, allow access to data (proof of fingerprint may be required).
5. Select data types to transfer and wait for completion.

📶 Wireless Transfer (Wi-Fi Direct):

If you don't have a cable, you can use Wi-Fi Direct, but it's slower and it can break down. The algorithm is similar, but in step 3, you choose Wireless, and make sure that both phones have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on.

⚠️ Note: Smart Switch does not tolerate:

• 🔐 Data from Mi Account (such as Mi Notes or Mi Pay payments).
• 🎮 Save games (except those synced through Google Play Games).
• ⚙️ Settings MIUI (topics, gestures, energy saving modes).
• 📁 Files from secure folders MIUI (for example, MIUI/Extra).

Cable (quick and reliable)

Wireless (Wi-Fi Direct)

Through the Cloud (Google Drive)

Manual transfer (flash drive, PC)

I haven't decided yet.-->

3. Alternative methods: cloud, PC and third-party applications

If the Smart Switch failed (or you want to carry over what it doesn’t support), here are 4 proven alternatives:

🌥️ Google Account (for contacts, calendars, emails):

The most universal way to do basic data.

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Enable synchronization for Contacts, Calendar and Gmail.
3. On Samsung, add the same Google account – the data will be automatically pulled up.

⚠️ Limitation: SMS And multimedia can't be moved.

🖥️ Transfer over a computer (for photos, videos, music):

Connect Xiaomi to your PC, copy files from folders:

• DCIM/Camera — photo
• Download - downloads
• MIUI/Music — music
• MIUI/Video — Videos (including those recorded in Mi Video)

Then connect Samsung and transfer the files to the appropriate folders. Use double explorer window or Total Commander for convenience.

📱 Third-party annexes (for SMS, calls, apps):

If you need to move SMS, Call log or installed apps, try:

• 📩 SMS Backup & Restore - Exports SMS into XML and restores to Samsung.
• 📞 Call Logs Backup & Restore – Call history.
• 📦 App Backup & Restore – Restore APK-Application files (but not their data!).

☁️ Cloud Services (for backups):

Xiaomi allows you to back up your Mi Cloud, but you can't restore it to Samsung.

1. On Xiaomi, create a local backup in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup.
2. Copy the file. backup_*.ab on PC.
3. Use the Mi. PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) for extracting data from the backup.

4. Transfer of specific data: Mi Fit, Mi Pay, notes

Some Xiaomi data is not carried over in the standard ways. Here's how to deal with it:

🏃 Mi Fit (health and activity data):

Officially, Mi Fit doesn't export data to Samsung Health, but there's a workaround:

1. In Mi Fit on Xiaomi, export data to Google Fit (profile) → Settings → Connected applications → Google Fit).
2. On Samsung, install Google Fit and Samsung Health.
3. In Samsung Health, connect Google Fit as a data source. → Settings → Connected services).

⚠️ Data from the last 30 days will be transferred completely, older data will be selectively transferred.

💳 Mi Pay (bank cards and payments):

Unfortunately, you can't transfer your Mi Pay to Samsung Pay.

• Remove the cards from Mi Pay (for security reasons).
• Add them back to Samsung Pay via the app or Settings → Biometrics and safety → Samsung Pay.

📝 Mi Notes (notes):

Notes from Mi Notes don’t sync with Samsung Notes, but they can be exported:

1. Open the note in Mi Notes, click ⋮ → Export.
2. Choose the format TXT or HTML and save the file.
3. Transfer files to Samsung and import them to Samsung Notes or Google Keep.

💡

If you have a lot of notes in Mi Notes, use the Note Export app (available on Google Play), which can batch-export all notes into a single file.

5 Problems and Errors: What to Do When the Transfer Fails

Even when following instructions, you may fail, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Note: If you are unable to connect to your device when transferring via Smart Switch (code 100), try:

• Reboot both phones.
• Use the other USB-cable (preferably original from Samsung).
• Disable Battery Optimization for Smart Switch in Xiaomi Settings.

6.After the transfer: Samsung setup to work with Xiaomi data

Data portability is only half the battle, and to ensure that Samsung works with the transferred information correctly, follow these steps:

🔧 Gallery optimization:

If photos and videos are not displayed in the Samsung Gallery:

1. Open the gallery. → ⋮ → Settings → Folders for scanning.
2. Add folders to where you have moved media files (for example, DCIM/Xiaomi).
3. Click Update Media Files.

📱 Transfer of applications and their data:

Even if you've moved on APK-Application files, their data (for example, saves in games) may not be available:

• For games: Use Google Play Games (Save Sync).
• For instant messengers: log in again (data will be pulled from the cloud).
• For the rest: check if the app supports backup (e.g. WhatsApp saves chats to Google Drive).

🔒 Xiaomi Security and Cleanup:

After successful transfer:

1. Log out of all Xiaomi accounts (Mi Account, Google, social media).
2. Perform a reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings).
3. If you are selling a phone, untie it from your Mi Account via the web version.

💡

Don’t delete data from Xiaomi until it’s fully verified on Samsung! first make sure all files are opened, contacts are synced and apps are up and running.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions